Ok, So I am a huge Tolkien fan and at 31 years old I have an impressive collection. I live in the U.K but my Mom's brother lives in California (emigrated in the 80s) he came over for my Nan's funeral and we got Talking, turns out he is a Tolkien fan too and wrote to him in 1973 to which he recieved a reply from Tolkien at the Alan and Unwin offices. He had asked about more books about hobbits, the reply said there would be no more but a book called the silmarillion was in the works. That is the year tolkien died. I could scan it if any one would like a look. He gave me the letter!

You are correct, Tolkien did not sign this item (pp indicates it was signed on behalf of), unfortunately he probably did not see the original letter or reply and it was all handled by his publisher (George Allen and Unwin).

Thanks so much for this... I just recall i had a discussion a long long time ago where I was asked to post some examples of Tolkien's autograph done by a secretary... this is a great 'per procurationem' signature

I have seen several like these and this is indeed a secretary signature. Nice letter however. Now I wonder whether Tolkien dictated it, but then why have a secretary sign it in his name? And why use an autograph that 'looks' like Tolkien's but is not. These are peculiar items and highly interesting... thanks for posting!

Beren - as I understand it, that's what a 'per procurationem' letter is: Tolkien dictated it, the secretary typed it up and signed it on behalf of Tolkien, with her initials underneath. There is no question of her trying to imitate Tolkien's signature.

To remind our fellow readers, here's a link to a page in that previous thread:

p.s. - you say you have an impressive collection. I'm intrigued - can you give us an idea of what else you have? For myself, I have some six or seven dozen copies of TH; and LotR, and multiple copies of most of the rest of Tolkien's fiction. My favourite areas of interest are Tolkien's early poetry; and his academic pieces, as well as artwok; both by Tolkien and by artists inspired by him.

This sentence seems particularly interesting if Tolkien was dictating this letter: "As far as I can see, there can be no more books about hobbits but of course hobbits will feature in this new book The Silmarillion."

What do you think Tolkien meant by "of course hobbits will feature in this new book The Silmarillion"?

Of course, it is also possible that Tolkien did not dictate this letter.